Does Scarlett Johansson Like Morex Optimo?

Forever more ex optimo
Originally uploaded by romangame.

It's a pretty safe bet that Gwyneth Paltrow likes Coldplay and Kate Hudson likes the Black Crowes. But what about Hollywood's hottest new actress, Scarlett Johansson? Rumor has it that she loves Brooklyns very own Morex Optimo, who late last year released their furious CD "Beast of Reflexion".
Not that Johannson is to marry Optimo frontman Kristofer Widholm soon (or even going out with him, fot that matter), but having heard his music, you can easily understand why Scarlett would fall for it: It's cool and hot at the same time, both heady and frantic, smart and sexy, just like the "Lost in Translation" star. Morex Optimo will play Galapagos Art Space on March 26th at 7pm. I will be there, not just because I hope that Scarlett will show up, but because the Optimos will serve breakfast, or so they promised.

Karaoke Stars at the Lucky Cat

Nikko and Cassis at the Lucky Cat
Originally uploaded by romangame.

Most of you guys missed it, but it was great anyway: Joe McGinty's Piano Parlour develops into the tuesday night hot spot in Williamsburg. Last nights performances by Erik Paparozzi (beatlesque, folky pop tunes) and Nikko Weidemann (german/english heartbreak pop) confirmed this. For some of the songs, Nikko was accompained by the great Don Piper (www.adonpipersituation.com) on lap steel and by accordeonist Cassis (www.b-blush.com).
The party really got going when Joe opened his weekly piano karaoke and accomplished singers such as Kristofer of Morex Optimo or Kerry Kennedy of the Blue Sparks started belting out classics. A Hurray also for the two girls who did "Sitting at the dock of the Bay". Guts, people, that's all it takes.

Flaming Ground - Frank is up and gone!

Flaming Ground - Frank is up and gone!
Originally uploaded by romangame.

When the swiss plane takes off tonight at 9pm, it will take with it one of the most special characters the swiss american community had to offer to the city during the last ten years. A writer and journalist, Frank Heer not only played music with Melomane and C.Gibbs, he also is half of the Ambient-Duo Bingo Palace and spun records and remixes as DJ Mr. Privateman. To hear some of the Bingo Palace tracks while you read this, click on the headline of this post.

Frank moves back to Switzerland to promote his first novel, "Flammender Grund", which means flaming ground. In short, it's about a swiss teacher who flees Switzerland and tries to shed his past in the glittering sun of the death valley. The beautiful stranger Jade helps him on the search for his great grand father's bones.

Frank is touring Germany, Austria and Switzerland, reading from his novel. Often times, the readings are supported by visuals by Tamar Berkovits, taken at the locations Frank used for his book.

Frank, you been a great friend for the last fifteen years, please stay in touch! Good luck!

Dorit Chrysler Superstar

Dorit Chrysler: A new musical universe
Originally uploaded by romangame.

Go Google your name! How many hits that are actually talking about you do you get? I get maybe 60. If you google Dorit Chrysler, you get about 1'040. This alone should tell you, how big the austrian-born thereminist already is, and things are only getting better for the artist that Time Out magazine called "the female Curt Cobain" back in the nineties. She's far more than that, and she's on tour again. Lucky Europeans have the chance to see and hear the etheral girl:
March 15 - 24: Various shows in VIENNA, March 25 NUERNBERG Stereo Deluxe, March 27 VIENNA Fluc, April 7, PRAGUE, CR, April 8, KRAKAU, P, April 9, BRATISLAVA, SL, April 10, BUDAPEST, H, April 23 VIENNA, Tanzquartier
And then finally we get a chance to see her, again, too, on April 29th in NYC at Moving Patterns Festival, with special guest Gibby Haines of immortal Butthole Surfers fame. More new on www.doritchrysler.com, and to listen to some of her tracks, click on the headline, yknow.

Melomane On the Way to Where they Belong

Melomane at Tonic
Originally uploaded by romangame.

After years of playing every possible venue in and around New York, Melomane have reached the masters league of classic pop. A sophisticated, savy and stylish brand of timeless beauty and melodic artistry, combined with Pierre De Gaillande concise lyrics. Offhandedly, their new record includes their best hit ever, "I'm in love with love". The CD has not been released yet, but you can come see their next show at Galapagos Art Space in Williamsburg, Saturday March 26 at 830PM. With Morex Optimo (www.morexoptimo.com) and Ad Frank, not to mention stunning visual wizardry by Kevin Campbell. As always, click on the headline to hear some Melotunes.

Botanica: New Record and European Tour

Botanica All Over Europe
Originally uploaded by romangame.

Oh, friends overseas, one of our finest exports is coming over to pamper your ears on an extended tour! Their new record "Vs. the Truth Fish" is without a doubt the best yet and includes hits such as "Love is the difference" and "For You". Here in the States, they now also have the great Pete Min on guitar. In Europe, they tour as a powerful quartet. Here are the dates:
3/11 BONN (D) Harmonie
3/12 BERLIN (D) Maschinenhaus
3/13 STUTTGART (D) Laboratorium
3/14 VIERSEN (D) Conny's
3/15 GENEVA (CH) l'Usine
3/17 VIENNA (A) B-72
3/18 STEYR (A)
3/19 NEU-ULM (D) NuBahnhof
3/20 BIELEFELD (D) Forum
3/21 PARIS (F) House of Live
3/22 BRUSSELS (B) Botanique
3/23 GENT (B) Vooruit
3/24 OFFENBACH (D) Hafen 2
3/26 KREFELD (D) Blauer Engel

To hear their music and learn more about the band, go to www.botanicaisaband.com/sounds.html or click on the headline of this post.

The Blue Sparks Shine Stronger Than Ever

The Blue Sparks' Kerry Kennedy
Originally uploaded by romangame.

Blue Sparks have definitely overcome bass player Alana's departure and are back with strong songs, a tight set and Mike Dos Santos (Ex-Realistics) on bass and vox.
Blue Sparks recorded four tracks with Martin Bisi (for those not in the know: check out www.martinbisi.com) as recording engineer and Christian Bongers (see Botanica) as producer. The EP will be released soon and features the songs Zombie Ladies, Shadows, Cracked Cement and Thin Line. Listen to last two tracks at www.myspace.com/bluesparks or just click on the headline of this post.

New Model Army Take Brooklyn

Older but still better: New Model Army
Originally uploaded by romangame.

For the first time in 11 years, a full line-up of New Model Army performed in New York. At Southpaw in Brooklyn, Justin Sullivan led his band through most of the big hits: 51st State, No Rest for the Wicked, Poison Street, Stupid Questions...man, it was all there. Justin seemed very at ease and looks better than ever. The band is just great. "Green and Grey" reminded me of back home and I started bawling like a baby in the midst of long haired punk rock hippies. yep.

There's Room to Come!

"Room" Have First Good Rehearsal
Originally uploaded by romangame.

The four guys in Room were at a loss of words early Thursday morning after their rehearsal. For the first time ever, things fell into place for the noisy quartet: Not only did bass player Jean Cosme get the knack of it, singer Jon hit a couple of right notes, guitarist Roman was happy with his sound and drummer Martial played his best since the early nineties. Listening to boring Jazz at Cebulon in Williamsburg they agreed on one thing: This room should be moving!

NiKKO Back in NY - News Songs in German

Nikko Weidemann performing in Germany
Originally uploaded by romangame.

Originally from Berlin/Germany, Nikkolai Weidemann lived in New York for five years, then moved back to the thriving German city. Whether Nikko sings in English or in German, he is an equally gifted singer/songwriter and has worked with such diverse artists as Nick Cave, Einstürzende Neubauten and pop wunderkind Nena.

Nikko is going to play one acoustic show during his two week-stay in New York, on Tuesday, March 15th at Lucky Cats in Williamsburg (Havemeyer and Grand Sts.) More info to follow!

C Gibbs and Mr. Privateman at the Knitting Factory

C Gibbs and Mr. Privateman at the Knitting Factory
Originally uploaded by romangame.

The incredible C. Gibbs played the Knitting Factory Friday night, with a little help of Swiss artist and author Frank Heer. Heer returns to Switzerland to promote his first novel, "Flammender Grund" (Hoffmann & Campe).

C Gibbs has an amazing new record out, learn more about it at www.cgibbsreview.com.

United Enkels live at the Hafenbuffet in Rorschach

United Enkels
Originally uploaded by romangame.

This is a shot from the traditional yearly United Enkels show we did in Rorschach this year. We play all our favorites from the late seventies and the early eighties. Punk rock, in fact. This year's set included the Psychedelic Furs, The Jam, Wire, XTC, Vapors, The Ruts, Eddie And The Hot Rods, The Clash, Members, Smiths, Blondie, Fischer Z, Magazine, Elvis Costello and Triffids. The amazing Paul Gruber and his band Ashbury Road with Carmen Hutter on vocals opened. Painhead's Magga joined for two songs, so did the Valets' Sam Kunz and Adrian Elsener. Thank you all!

New CD Colectrado Now Available - Click here for free songs

colcetrado cd cover
Originally uploaded by romangame.

This new CD features 14 new songs and soundbits, all recorded and mixed on my computer, thanx to Garageband and McIntosh. Of course, this is pretty low fi, but you get the idea. Whoever wants a copy, write to romangame@mac.com.

The Aroma of Punk Rock

The Aroma of Punk Rock
Originally uploaded by romangame.

Aroma have a six track cd in the works which should be out in early summer. More gigs will follow then.

ROOM in Williamsburg

room
Originally uploaded by romangame.

this band looks much better than they sound, really. so go see them live. bring earplugs. they plan to play at boogaloo, williamsburg, to kick of the season in soccer april 2005. more soon.